After rousing my guildmates and looting the corpse of our enemy, we sat down in the guildhall.

“It appears we’ve stirred up some trouble,” I began, “and I’m not exactly sure what to do about it.”

“I think we should try and make amends--” Started Tom, but I cut him off.

“Out of the question. Regardless of pride, attempting to crawl out of the hole we’ve dug ourselves with apologies would leave us looking weak. I think my previous statement has been misunderstood. What I’m looking for is not a way to make amends, but ideas on how to get so strong that nobody would dare mess with us.”

“Think about the bosses during raids. They’re always either extremely powerful or surrounded by minions. Since there’s already a group of us, and Zero’s specializing in a pet class, it only makes sense that we expand in a way that utilizes subordinate guild members or NPCs. We need to amass property and wealth. We need powerful magic items and the skills to use them. Gaining experience through farming mobs is great and all, but this world doesn’t have the random loot that a game does. We need to find a dungeon.” Aaron replied to my renewed request.

I might be able to be of assistance.

“Dreadil may know somewhere, but what would it cost?” I said aloud.

I will reveal this knowledge in exchange for a favor rather than a Devotion Point.

“He wants a favor, but I’m not sure what.”

“Well, find out!” Gabe urged.

I wish to be able to converse with others. It would not take much, just a focusing crystal. I would also agree to limit my conversation to those who are not your enemies.

I explained Dreadil’s terms, and my groupmates agreed that they seemed favorable for now. I confirmed with Dreadil, and a trail of blue mist appeared in my vision.

“Can you guys see that?” I asked.

“See what?”

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“I can see some blue mist leading out of the guild hall, and if I focus hard on the endpoint I can see the name of a location: [Crypt of the Gilded Lord]. That’s our destination.” I explained.

We gathered our gold and buried most of it in some of the graves I had dug up during my skirmish. After completing that task, we trekked off in the direction of the blue mist; there weren’t many monsters to encounter. Our destination was a 4-hour hike, but the journey was relatively uneventful. As we approached the end, we slowed and entered stealth.

The moon lit up the soft white stone of the crypt, and my breath caught at the grim beauty of the scene. The entrance to the lower levels stood stark against the horizon, and ruined columns lay scattered around the area. I could see scorch marks and signs of battle against the stone. Clearly, we were not the first adventurers to make our way to the crypt.

“Dreadil,” I whispered, “I thought you guaranteed that the crypt would be untouched!” Untouched by the immortals you mean. No man who respects death would dare venture here. The outside has been demolished by vandals and other ruffians with the courage to tread this hallowed ground but not the guts to go any further. I assure you, the interior of the crypt is ripe for conquering.

Satisfied with that explanation, I motioned the others into the crypt entrance. As I approached, the reason for its security was clear: there was a large boulder covering the way down! Assuming mobs surrounded the area, it would be exceedingly difficult to move the boulder without being killed. Seeing as how the boulder was still in place, it was clear that we would be jumped as soon as we tried to move it.

After hearing my conclusion, the others jumped into action. I summoned two regular skeletons for 1500 bone essence, half of my total reserves. We formed a ring around the boulder facing outward, and I ordered my skeletons to begin moving the stone.

As soon as the boulder began to move, a purple mist began billowing from the crypt’s entrance. As tendrils of mist separated from the mass, we turned to confront these attackers. I launched several Blight Bolts into a few of the monsters, and one of them dissipated.

“Dreadil, what are these things?!” I shouted.

Will-o-Wisps.

“Can’t you tell me anything else?” I growled. Silence was the only reply. I wracked my brain for anything I might know from other media. From what I could remember, will-o-wisps were spirits of the dead. They lured travelers into dangerous locations, but could attack psychically if need be. I launched more spells, and Gabe joined my assault. Aaron slashed at the specters, but it didn’t seem to do much damage.

One of the will-o-wisps flew into Tom, and he screamed in pain. I watched his health bar plummet, and the mist exited his back. I raised my staff and destroyed the spirit before it could cause more harm. Gabe stretched out one hand, and I watched as flames lashed out from his palm. He flicked his wrist, and the coil of fire lashed around in a circle. The Will-o-wisps disintegrated under our combined magical onslaught, and we cheered at our victory. My skeletons finished moving the boulder, and we prepared to enter the Crypt of the Gilded Lord.